"Identification of Fetal and Maternal Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Candidate Genes That Predispose to Spontaneous Preterm labor with Intact Membranes"

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Robert BockPublic Information and Communications BranchEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development301-496-5134

Dr. Roberto Romero on camera

Dr. Robert Romero: We have a large body of evidence that proves that silent infections are a frequent and important cause of premature labor. These infections can also attack the fetus before it is born. Individual variations in the genes controlling inflammation in the mother and fetus may account for why premature labor occurs in some cases and not in others.

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Dr. Romero on camera

Dr. Romero: We discovered that there is a genetic predisposition for premature labor, which is due to both the maternal and the fetal genome. In other words, the genetic makeup of both mother and fetus can contribute to the risk of premature labor.

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Dr. Romero on camera

Dr. Romero: Our discovery is important because it helps to explain why some mothers have premature labor and delivery despite having optimal prenatal care. Some women and fetuses carry gene variants that predispose to the early onset of labor.

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Dr. Romero on camera

Dr. Romero: One of every three premature babies is born to a mother with intraamniotic infection, but these infections are silent, meaning the mothers do not have a fever or other typical signs of infection.

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Dr. Romero on camera

Dr. Romero: The mother initiates the onset of labor to get rid of the infected tissue. The fetus exits a hostile intrauterine environment that threatens its survival.

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Dr. Romero on camera

Dr. Romero: We studied patients from Chile, approximately 220 mothers and babies with premature labor and approximately 600 mothers and babies who had a normal pregnancy.